The more we learn about the planet Mars, the more fascinating it becomes. Evidence beamed to Earth from our rovers tells us what Mars was like in its distant past. Billions of years ago, it has an atmosphere and water -necessary ingredients for life as we know it. This animation from The Mars Underground imagines what it might have been like.

The animation shows how the surface of Mars might have appeared during this ancient clement period, beginning with a flyover of a Martian lake. The artist's concept is based on evidence that Mars was once very different. Rapidly moving clouds suggest the passage of time, and the shift from a warm and wet to a cold and dry climate is shown as the animation progresses. The lakes dry up, while the atmosphere gradually transitions from Earthlike blue skies to the dusty pink and tan hues seen on Mars today.

As we watch the gradual transition, it occurs to me: could we be looking at the future of Earth? Not that it would look like this; there's a lot of stuff going on really fast here on Earth. -via the Presurfer